Outlet box and anchor therefor



Dec. 24, 1946. Q FREDRIKSEN 2,413,139

OUTLET BOX AND ANCHOR THEREFOR Filed June 14, 1944 I INVENTOR. 4 J5 20fi efi'zkserz,

A'I'I'EI RN EYS Patented Dec. 24, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEOUTLET BOX AND ANCHOR THEREFOR Clyde Fredriksen, Gurney, Wis.

Application June 14, 1944, Serial No. 540,345

Y 1 Claim. 1

The invention relates to a junction box, and more especially to outletboxes for electrical switches and receptacles.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a box of thischaracter, wherein it can be readily and easily secured in place withina Wall opening, with dispatch, and without regard to the thickness ofthe wall having the opening for the box, the latter being held firm andsecure when within the opening.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a box of thischaracter, wherein the anchoring adjuncts thereto are a part of the saidbox when distributed by the mater or trademan, and such box can beslipped into place within a wall opening without damaging the wallfabrication, and can be anchored thereto within the least possible time,and requiring minimum labor for so doing.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a box of thischaracter, wherein the anchoring thereof is accomplished without thesame, so that the inside dimensions are undisturbed, thereby providingadequate space for installation of fixtures therein, the box being heldfast.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a box ofthis character, which is sim-- ple in construction, thoroughly reliableand efficient in its purposes, strong, durable, easily set in place withdispatch, it being resistant to outward pull thereon, and inexpensive tomanufacture and install.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists in thefeatures of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as willbe hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanyingdrawing, which shows the preferred embodiment of the invention, andpointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

Figure l is a front elevation of a junction box constructed inaccordance with the invention showing by dotted lines the normalposition of the anchoring medium, while by full lines is shown theanchoring medium being moved to a. clamping position.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through a wall openingshowing the box placed therein, the anchoring medium being shown by fulllines in anchoring position and by dotted lines in normal releasedposition.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 33 of Figure 2 looking inthe direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of one of the anchoring wings detached.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout theseveral views in the drawing,

Referring to the drawing in detail A designates generally a junction oroutlet box, having its body 10 of the ordinary well known construction,which at opposite end walls H thereof at the open front of such box arethe outturned inner and outer ears l2 and I3, respectively, the outerears l3 being adaptable for fasteners M which secure the said box to thewall [5 at the outer face thereof, while the inner ears l2 are forfasears IS, in which are received loose threaded I bolts l9, beingrather long, or of a. length slightly greater than the depth of the bodyl0, and are in threaded connection with anchoring wings 20, the boltsI!) being formed with rivet heads 2| at their inner ends, while theouter ends of such bolts are provided with screw driver receiving heads22. Normally the wings 20 which are adapted for lateral off-settingoutwardly from the sides or walls ll of the body Ill, are turnedinwardly against the bottom 23 of the latter, to overlap such bottom,until the body l0 has been fully inserted in the wall opening 16, andthereafter on turning the bolts IS the said wings 20 are thrownoutwardly, clearing the side walls of the body H1, so that they may beclamped against the inner face of the wall l5. In this manner the bodyH! of the box is firmly and securely anchored to the Wall l5 forconfinement within the opening I6 therein, as will best be seen in Fiures 2 and 3 of the drawing.

The rivet heads 2| function to retain the wings 20 on the bolts I9, andalso through friction will tend to cause the turning of the wings offand from the bottom 23, which is the normal position of such wings, tobring these clear of the side walls ll of the body ID to have them cometo clamping position against the wall I5 at its inner face, as will beclearly seen in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawing.

The manner of anchoring the body I0 is effective to resist an outwardpull thereon, to which it is often subjected, and the anchorage is asstrong as the material to which it is secured.

The anchorage can be had with varying thicknesses of wall structures,and is firm and secure.

What is claimed is:

A box of the kind described, comprising a body having an open front, anend wall and side walls, attaching ears carried by the open front, asecond set of short ears carried by 10 the open front, bolts screwedthrough said short ears and extending beyond the end of the body andhaving heads, wide thin wings threaded on said bolts and prevented frompassing from the bolts by the heads, said Wings being normally heldinwardly against the face of the end wall of the body and turnableoutwardly to operative position by said bolts.

CLYDE FREDRIKSEN.

